Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 20: A delegation of Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, (KPS) Jammu led by its president, K. K. Khosa met Satya Pal Malik , Governor to apprise him of burning problems and other issues of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
The delegation comprised of A. K. Braroo, vice president, G. J. Kampassi, secretary, J. N. Zutshi, Dr. Ashok Koul and Deepak Dhar. Two Memorandums were presented to Governor and issues were discussed in detail. Governor assured of prompt action and also gave a brief about some of the issues mentioned in the memorandum that are being considered for resolution.
The Sabha in its memorandum said that the most important issue of Return & Rehabilitation of the community to Kashmir Valley has been relegated to the backburner for various reasons. It sought the indulgence of Governor, to initiate a new proposal in consultation with the community leadership. In this context, the Sabha requested to Governor to constitute a KP Advisory Council comprising of prominent members of the community in order to arrive at a consensus to implement the return process at an earliest.
The Sabha demanded that PM package for employment of KP community should be implemented in letter and spirit after suitable amendment in consultation with the community. The PM package candidates have been awaiting appointment orders for the last six months and this has resulted in frustration among those youth as some of them are on the verge of becoming overage. Therefore, orders be issued in case of such selected list of candidates at the earliest and the balance of posts be advertised forthwith. Simultaneously, urgent measures be taken to provide adequate accommodation to such employees who have been living in miserable condition since the day of joining in the Valley, the memorandum added.
It also demanded that the voting procedure for migrant voters needs to be streamlined and the difficult and cumbersome procedure should be done away with to facilitate displaced community to participate in democratic process smoothly. The voter ID Cards issued in respect of displaced community should be enough to enable them to cast their votes in their respective constituencies.
It said pending the passage of Temple and Shrines Bill steps be taken to safeguard all the religious shrines of the community as one of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). Further, the lackadaisical approach of the State Government in removing encroachments from migrants private property has increased their agony.
It appealed the Governor that adequate and immediate orders for removal of such encroachments be expedited to restore confidence of the community.
The individuals whose property has been burnt during the turmoil in the Valley have been paid a token sum of Rs one lakh till date and steps need to be taken for the payment of remaining portion of compensation to redress their grievances, the delegation added.
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